russet

[ruhs-it]

noun

1. yellowish brown, light brown, or reddish brown.

2. a coarse reddish-brown or brownish homespun cloth formerly used for clothing.

3. any of various apples that have a rough brownish skin and ripen in the autumn.

4. a brownish, roughened area on fruit, resulting from diseases, insects, or spraying.

5. russet Burbank.

6. finished leather that is not yet polished or colored.

adjective

1. yellowish-brown, light-brown, or reddish-brown.

2. made of russet.

russet

/ ˈrʌsɪt /

noun

1. brown with a yellowish or reddish tinge

2. 1. a rough homespun fabric, reddish-brown in colour, formerly in use for clothing

   2. ( as modifier )

      a russet coat

3. any of various apples with rough brownish-red skins

4. abnormal roughness on fruit, caused by parasites, pesticides, or frost

adjective

1. (of tanned hide leather) dressed ready for staining

2. archaic,  simple; homely; rustic

   a russet life

3. of the colour russet

   russet hair

Other Word Forms

• russetish adjective
• russety adjective
• russetlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of russet¹

1225–75; Middle English < Old French rousset, diminutive of rous reddish brown, red (of hair); roux

Word History and Origins

Origin of russet¹

C13: from Anglo-Norman, from Old French rosset , from rous , from Latin russus ; related to Latin ruber red

Example Sentences

The golden light darkens to a dirtier russet shade.

Read more on Literature

“I would say the color is halfway between bark and russet,” she decided, and brought it to the cashier.

Read more on Literature

Their russet hair looked almost gray in the color-stealing light of the moon, but each time they passed beneath a street lamp the auburn sheen glowed like an ember.

Read more on Literature

But for some, the true treat will turn out to be the classic oval or oblong-shaped russet spud, good for baking, frying or just plain admiring.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Continued warm weather meant autumn came late this year, but it brought an explosion of colour with some spectacular displays ranging from gold through to russet red, like here on the Wallington Estate in Northumberland.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cardinal 
• coral 
• crimson 
• flaming 
• glowing 
• maroon 
• rose 
• wine